Lamp holder



J. F. ral-:ALv

LAMP HOLDER Oct. 6, I1942.

Fld Jan. 278, 1942 ATTO EY wlTNEss Patented Oct. 6, 1942 LAMP HDLDER James F. Beal, Bridgeport, Conn., assigner to The Bryant Electric Company, Bridgeport, Conn.,

a corporation of Connecticut Application January 28, 1942, Serial No.- 428,482

(Cl. 173-328) A 11 Claims.

provide a lamp lholder adapted for use with douole-ended discharge lamps of the oval or elliptical type having pairs of contact pins at each end located in a plane at 45 degrees with respect to either the major or minor axis of the envelope of the device or lamp. 4

Another object of my invention is to provide a lamp holder for use with lamps of the character described so constructed that the lamp may be inserted into the holders so that the broad or narrow side of the envelope may be speciiically positioned with respect to a reflecting or supporting surface without turning the lamp end-forend and which may be also used with lamps having a cylindrical envelope.

A still further object is to provide a lamp holder of the character described wherein the lamp may be readily inserted and speciilcally positioned in one of two positions bysimply rotating the lamp in one direction or the other into a locking po-I sition.

These and other objects of my invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawing,inwhich;

Figure 1 is a iront view in elevation of a lamp holder embodying the principal features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a top View of the lamp holder of Fis. 1: v

Fig. 3 is a view along line III-III of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along line IV-IV of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view in front elevation of a modiiication of the invention;

Fig. 6 is a bottom plan view of Fig. l or Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a' view along line VII-VII of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 8 is a view taken along line VIII- VIII of F18. 7.

In practicing my invention in its preferred form, a housing comprising a hollow body portion of molded material and open at one side is attached to a metal mounting bracket having a foot portion disposed at right angles to an upright mounting portion which closes theopen side of the body portion. The iront face of the body portion is provided with a narrow entry slot at the top to receive the contact pins of the lamp. This slot extends downwardly and is enlarged in width and terminates in an inverted Y at the bottom. the Y-portions being relatively deep and narrow. Directly opposite each of the Y-portions and at the upper end of the enlarged portion of the slot there extends in an upward direction, a relatively shallow and narrow portion. Within the body portion there are mounted a pair oi resilient contact members or brushes having free end portions which extend upwardly along the outside of the enlarged portion of the slot in slightly overlapping relation with the ends o1 the Y-portions and the shallow portions opposite thereto. The pins of the lamp enter the slot one above the other, and when the leading pin engages the lower edge of the enlarged portion of the slot, it may be guided into either one of the Y-portions by simply turning the lamp. When the lamp is pushed down into the YK-portion, the leading pin engages the contact member and the lamp may be locked within the opposite shallow portion by turning it so that the trailing or upper pin is in a position to enter the shallow portion of the slot opposite the Y- portion. When the downward force on the lamp is released, the contact member forces it upwardly to cause the trailing pin to become rmly seated in the shallow portion of the slot against the upper end of the other contact member.

The narrow portions, which may be referred to as locking portions, are disposed opposite the Y or guiding portions, and each guiding portion and its opposite locking portion lie in a common plane at 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the holder. The two planes in which the pairs of guiding and locking portions lie are disposed in an X formation each at 45 degrees to the 1ongitudinal axis of the holder.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 4 of the drawing,

which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, the holder shown comprises a housing formed of an L-shaped metal mounted bracket lll having a base or foot portion Il and a flat upright supporting portion `I2 to which is attached a hollow open-sided body portion I3 by means ot a screw i4. A back plate and liner 9 is interposed between the housing and bracket as shown.

The body portion I3 is preferably molded of a suitable material and is provided with a slot I5 in the top and,V front face thereof for receiving' the contact pins I6 and I`I cf the lamp, as best shownin Fig. 1. The slot I5 starts 'at the top as a relatively narrow entrance portion I8 anc'. ex-

A tends downwardly into a wider enlarged portion I9 and terminates in downwardly extending Y- portions and 2l which are relatively deep and narrow, and 'which may be referred' to as the guiding portions of the slot. Opposite each Y-portion, at vthe top of the enlarged portion I9 there are provided narrow and relatively shallow minates in an enlarged star-shaped portion having radially extending armsA formed by the guiding and locking portions.

As shown in Fig. 1, the free ends of the contact members 2I and 28 extend upwardly in overlapping relation to the ends of the guiding and locking portions of the slot in order that they may be engaged by the contact pins of the lamp. The initial or disengaged position is in- '20 and 2l.

gral' with the face of the bodyportion divides it longitudinally into recesses and 26 in which the resilient contact elements 2l and 2d are mounted. The upper end '28 of the rib is in the shape of an inverted V and functions as a guide forthe leading contact pin of the lamp so that-it may be pushed into either one'of the Y-portions of the slot.

The contact members 2l and 2t may be of any suitable construction and; as shown in this instance, are shaped roughly in the form of a figure 2. They may be constructed of fiat spring material having suitable current conducting qualities.

With reference to contact member 2l, which is identical to 28, it will be observed that it is formed by bending one endof the strip at an angle to form a terminal portion 3i and curving or bowing the other end of the strip to form a .conta-ct portion 32, these two portions being joined together by a' straight shank portion 33.

The contact members are mounted within the housing-by means of transverse slots ,3d and formed in the sides of the rib portion 2d and the transverse shoulders 3E and 3l and bosses 38 and 39 formed on the inside of the body portion, as shown. It will be observed that the terminal portion 3l of the contact member 2l is mounted within`the slot 3d and rests upon the shoulder 36, the shank portion 33 extending between the inside of the body portion and boss 38 thus functioning to retain the free end of the contact member in proper relation to the guiding and locking portions of the slot l5. A' supporting plate may be positioned Within the slot 3d in v order to retain the terminal portion 3l therein and also function as a nut' for the terminal screw.

The other contact member Z8 is mounted in the same manner.

Inrder to provide a holder in which a lamp of the oval .type may be inserted so as to present either the broad or' narrow side of the envelope to a reflecting surface without turning the lamp end-forend, the guiding and locking portions of the slot I5 are so positioned with respect to the longitudinal axis of the housing as to hold the lamp-in either of these two positions.

`It will be observed that the guiding'portion 20 and the locking portion 23 are positioned opposite each other and in a common plane extending at an angle of approximately degrees to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Likewise, the guiding portion 2| and locking portion- 22 are located in a common plane at right angles vto the other plane and also at an angle of 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the housing. Thus, it is seen that the slot l5 terfrom their terminal portions ,35 4and A6.

dicated by the dotted outline designated a.

The initial position of the contact pins is shown in Fig. 1 by the dotted outline. It will be noted that the leading pin I6 is resting upon the upper end 29 of the rib 24 where it is in a position to enter either of the guiding portions The trailing pin I'I is in the entrance portion I8 of the slot and acts as a pivot point ior the lamp.

If it is desired to nsertthe lamp with its major axis at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the housing so that the envelope is in the position as shown by the dash-dot outline, the lamp isl rotated in a clockwise direction, so that the pin i6 follows the guiding portion 20 to the Vbottom as shown. In this position, it has engaged contact member 21 and the trailing pin il has reached the bottom of the entrance l portion i@ of the slot, where it is ina position to enter the opposite locking portion 23. The reaction of the contact member 2l against the leading pin i@ urges the trailing p'inil into the locking portion 23 against the otherA contact member 28. The iinal position of the contact pins is as shown by the cross-hatched section.

In the event that it is desired vto insert the lamp in its other position, as shown-by the dashed outline thereof, the leading contact pin I6 is guided into the other guiding portion 2| into engagement with Contact member 28, and the trailing pin il is forced into the other locking portion 22 where it engages the contact memthe oval type may be inserted into the holder" in either of its two positions without turning the lamp end-to-end, as is required when lamp holders of the conventional type are used. It will also be apparent that lthey lamp holder describedmay be used with lamps of the ordinary round type. l

The modification vshown 'inFigs 5 through 3 is. substantially the same except that the contact members thereof are of a diierent shape. As shown in Fig. 5, for example, the contact members di and i2 are hook-shaped and have long shank portions ,t3 and M extending upwardly The free ends 6l and d8 are bent inwardly to form the hook and extend downwardly in overlapping relation with the ends of the guiding and locking portions of the slot I5. The tips of the free ends are also hook-shaped to receive the contact il into the locking portion 23 in engagement with the contact member 42. The contact members il and l2 are mounted within the housing in generally the same manner as described in connection with the preferred embodiment of the invention and the initial or disengaged position of the contact members is indicated by the doty ted outline designated a in Fig. 5.

In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that I haveprovided a lamp holder of simple and rugged construction adapted for use 'with double-ended discharge lamps of the oval type, and so constructed that these lamps may be lnserted into' the holder in either of their two op- Since the illustrated examples constitute only two practical, embodiments ofvmy invention, I do not wish to limit myself strictly to the exact details illustrated, since modifications of the same -may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A lamp holder for use with double-ended electric lamps having a tubular envelope and pairs of spaced contact pins at each end thereof comprising, a hollow housing member-having a base portion for mounting it on a supporting surface, a pair of resilient contact members mounted within the housing, said housing having a slot in one face thereof adjacent the contact members for receiving the contact pins of the lamp, said slot having a plurality of pairs of opposed guiding and locking portions, each pair of vguiding and locking portions of the slot being disposed in a common plane positioned at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the housingwhereby the lamp may be inserted into the holder in a plurality of positions toselec- A erating positions without turning the lamp end-y so as to be engaged by the contact pins-and resiliently urge said pins into locking position within the slot.

4. A lamp holder for use with double-ended I electric lamps having a tubular envelope and a pair of spaced contact pins at each end thereof comprising, a hollow housing member having a base portion for mounting it upon a supporting v surface and a -iiat face portion, said housing having a slot in the fiat face portion extending downwardly from the top thereof, said slot having a f .lation to the ends of lthe guiding and locking tively position the envelope without turning the lamp end-for-end.

2. A lamp holder for use with double-ended electric lamps having a tubular envelope and a pair of Aspaced contact pins at each end thereof comprising, a hollow housing member having a base portion for mounting it upon a supporting surface and a flat lface portion, -said housing having a slot in the iiat face portion extending downwardly from the top thereof, said slot having a narrow-entrance portion and radially extending guiding and locking portions at the lower end thereof, each of said locking portions being disposed opposite a guiding portion in a plane extending at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a pair of resilient contact members mounted within the housing, said contact members being rigidly attached to the housing at one end only and having their free ends extending upwardly in overlapping relation to the ends of the guiding and locking portions of the slot in such position as to be engaged by the contact pins of the lamp when inserted into said guiding and locking portions.

3. A lamp holder for use with double-ended electric lamps having a'. tubular envelope and a pair of spaced contact pins at each end thereof comprising, a. hollow housing member having a base portion for mounting it. upon a supporting surface and a fiat face portion, said housing having a slot in the flat face portion extending downwardly from the top thereof, said slot having a narrow entranceportion and radially extending guiding an'd locking portions at the lower end thereof, each of said locking portions being disposed opposite a guiding portion in a plane extending at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing, a pair of elongated resilient contact members mounted within the housing and attached thereto at one end only with their free ends extending upwardly adjacent said slot. said free ends of the contract members being curved inwardly -to overlap the edges of the guiding and locking portions of the slot 75 portions ofthe slot, whereby when the contact pins are inserted into thel slot the leading pin follows one of the guiding portions into engagement with the end of one contact member-which exerts an upward force to cause the trailing contact pin to be held within the opposite locking portion of the slot against the other contact member.

5. A lamp holder for use with double-ended electric lamps having a pair of spaced contact pins extending from each end thereof comprising, a body portion of insulating material having a pair' of longitudinally extending recesses, a

bracket member for supporting the body portion in an upright position, a pair of resilient contact members mounted within said'recesses, said body portion having an inverted Y-shaped slot in one face thereof to receive the contact pins of the lamp, said slot having locking portions intermediate the ends thereof opposite the lower leg' portions of the Y, whereby the contact pins may be positioned in either leg of the Y and the opposed locking portions in engagement with the contact members.

6. A lamp holder for use with double-ended electric lamps having a pair of spaced contact pins extending from each end comprising, a housingformed at least in part of insulating material and having a mounting base, said housing being of hollow construction and having a slot in one face thereof for guiding and holding the contact pins, and a pair of contact members mounted therein for engagement by the contact pins oi' the lamp, said slot having an entrance portion extending from the top of the housing downwardly into an enlarged portion having deep downwardly extending narrow portions and opposed shallow upwardly extending narrow portions, each deep portion being in the same plane as its opposed shallow portion at a predetermined angle to the longitudinal axis of the housing.

7. A lamp holder for use with double-ended electric lamps having an oval envelope and a pair of spaced contact pins extending from each end thereof comprising, a housing formed at least in part of insulating material and having a mounting base, said housing being of hollow construction and-having a slot in one face thereof, and a pair of contact members mounted therein for engagement by the contact pins of the lamp, said housing having a slot inl one face thereof for guiding and holding the contact pins, said slot having a narrow entrance portion extendingb downwardly from the top ofthe body portion into an enlarged portion having narrow relatively deep downwardly extending portions at'the bottom in Y formation and disposed at 45 degrees to thelongitudinal axis of the body portion and relatively shallow locking portions at the top opposite to and lying in the same plane with the relatively deep portions, whereby the lamp may be mounted vwithin the socket with either the major or minor axis of its envelope along the longitudinal axis of the body portion.

8.A lamp holder for use with double-ended electric lamps o1' the oval type having pairs of spaced contact'pins at each end located ina common plane at 45 degrees to the minor and major axes thereof comprising, a hollow body portion of insulating material having a slot in the face thereof to receive the contact pins and a pair of resilient contact elements mounted therein, said slot having a straight entrance portion extending downwardly from the top of the body portion and terminating in -an enlarged portion having two pairs of upper and lower extensions lying in crossed planes at 45 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the body'portion, whereby the contact g pins of the lamp may be positioned within either pair of extensions to specically position the lamp without turning it end for end.

9. A lamp holder ior electric lamps of the double-ended type having pairsof spaced contact pins at each end thereof comprising, an L-shaped mounting bracket having a :dat upright portion, a. hollow body portion of insulating material attached to one side of theupright portion of the bracket, said body portionl having a slot in the face thereof to receive the contact .pins of the lamp, said slot being open at the top and terminating in two pairs of oppositely disposed portions lying in crossed planes at 45 degrees 'to the longitudinal axis of the body portion, and resilient contact members mounted within the body portion adjacent said oppositely disposed portions of the slot, whereby the lamp may be inserted into the holder and partially rotatedv in either .direction into locking position with its contact pins in engagement with the contact members.v

. l0. A lamp holder for use with a double-ended lamp having pairs of spaced contact pins at each end thereof comprising, a hollow housing member provided with a slot in one face thereoi-to receive the contact pins of the lamp. said slot having a vertical portion extending from the top o'f said hollow'member and terminating in an enlarged portion with narrow extended portions disposediopposite each other at an angle of 45 degrees-,to the longitudinal axis of the hollow housing member, and contact members mounted within the. hollow member disposed to be engaged by the contact pins of the lamp when inserted into the slot and rotated in either direction to cause the pins to enter either one of the pairs of extended portions of the slot.

11. A lamp homer refuse with a dosare-endea-VY lamp having pairs of spaced contact pins at each end thereof comprising, a hollow member provided with a. slot in one face thereof to receive the contact pins of the lamp, said slot having a vertical portion extending from thetop of said hollow member and terminating in an enlarged X-shaped portion having oppostely disposed rip-1^ wardly and downwardly extending narrow portions positioned in crossed planes at 45 degrees te the longitudinal axis of the member, and a ,pair of resilient contact membersmounted Within the hollow member" adjacent said X-shaped portion Y of the slot to be engaged by the contact loins when inserted into the slot and rotated into the upwardly and downwardly extending narrow portions thereof. 

